Defending the Caveman » Fun Way to Understand D.ckheads’ Sensitivities and Nagging Women

Millions of books, articles shows and movies were already published and produced dealing with the differences between men and women, so it is definitely a fact we all know.

Actually, it is already a boring subject.

However, I’m able to watch Rob Becker’s one-man show “Defending the Caveman” starring Joel Trinidad last Friday at the RCBC Plaza with my office-mates. I never thought gender differences could be that fun. I got a nice dose of Friday night “sosyal” entertainment.

The Cavemen... Yodz, Aldan and Stup

Defending the Caveman revolves around the premise that the real reasons for the gender differences could possibly evolved within the human evolution during the Barok and Gundina, Tarzan and Jane era, the time when men and women had their specific roles as the hunters and gatherers, respectively, and that people nowadays are just the modern-day versions.

Photo op after the show

It’s a good laugh, but it is not only hilarious, it also gives insightful truths about all the ways men and women fight, laugh, and love, therefore it’s best if you watch it together with your hubby or friends.

So to all the dickheads and nagger-shopaholics out there, you definitely don’t want to miss this.

The stage set

Rob Becker’s “Defending the Caveman”

Broadway’s smash comedy about the sexes, which sold 8 million tickets worldwide in 30 different languages starring Joel Trinidad.

Directed by Michael Williams and Cathy Azanza-Dy.

May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2011 at 8pm

Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, 4th Floor, RCBC Plaza Ayala Avenue cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City

Synopsis

Defending the Caveman, the longest running solo play in Broadway history is now a worldwide phenomenon that’s won the hearts of the millions in over 30 countires in more than 16 different languages. The “outrageously funny and surprisingly sweet exploration of the gender gap” (Chicago Sun-Times) has made defending the caveman “a comic phenomenon” (New York Times).

Caveman is a hilariously insightful play about the ways men and women relate. It has both sexes roaring with laughter and recognition. In the audience lots of affectionate nudging goes on during the performance. Couples are commonly seen strolling out in the night holding hands.

Scenes from the monologue

Caveman also has loyal following in the therapy community. It’s been seen and recommended by thousands of psychologists and counselors.

With hilarious insights on the contemporary feminism, masculine sensitivity and erogenous zone, Caveman has found a way to mine the common themes of relationships that goes straight to the funny bone.

The Cave Paintings

Interesting cave painting used as inspiration for the stage backdrop

In 1940, Lascaux, Fance, four teenage boys stumbled upon a cave containing the most impressive of all prehistoric art ever found. The painting of the man and the bison was discovered deep inside the cave. It dates from 17,000 years ago.

Carving also used as stage backdrop

The Great Goddess of Lausel was a carving discovered in 1911 not far from Lascaux. She dates from 25, 000 years ago. Scholars have suggested her image may have been used to celebrate the mysterious and magical female ability to renew and fully participate in the cycle of life.

About the Author

Rob Becker was a student at San Jose’s Pioneer High School in the early 1970 when he found out that he had the ability to make people laugh.

It would be years later before Rob Becker followed the path that lead to a successful comedic career. Becker’s comedy turned to the relationships between men and women, and “people started laughing really hard,” he said. “I just tried to explain things from guy’s point of view, what a guy would be thinking.” The routine evolved into “Defending the Cavemen”, the longest running solo play in Broadway history.

There are some comedians known for their side-splitting humor, but with Rob Becker it’s more like side-bruising humor. A man attends with his wife, and she elbows him in the ribs as she laughs hysterically every time Becker’s line describes her husband which is about everyone. The side-bruising humor was the result of Becker’s three years of informal research of Anthropology, prehistory, psychology, sociology and mythology.

It was that humor that he took to the stage, and the humor resonated for men and women alike. So popular was his show that he played every major city in the United States. Becker has formally retired from performing the Defending the Caveman routine and has since licensed it to allow others to now perform the routine all over the world.

Joel Trinidad as the Caveman

Fresh from the original musical Breakups and Breakdowns, a show he performed in, produced, directed, and wrote (with composer Roy Fortich), Joel Trinidad can currently be seen playing the role of the villainous Advisor in the Vegas-meets-Broadway musical Kaos (whose script he also wrote). 

This 22-year theater veteran has also played lead roles in such highly acclaimed productions as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Portrait of the Artists as a Filipino, Hamlet, Proof (opposite Leah Salonga), Amadeus, and The Rocky Horror Show, among countless others. He is a founding member of SPIT, or Silly People’s Improv Theater, the First Asian comedy troupe ever to perform at the prestigious Loa Angeles Improv Festival, and whose impromptu, seat-of-the-pants comedy has wowed audineces in Bali, Las Vegas, San Diego and New York. 

He’s done quite a bit of onscreen work, too, having appeared in numerous local and foreign movies, TV commercials, and one phone-Filipino game show broadcast live from Budapest. (Long story.) He received his first Aliw Award nomination for his role in the original Filipino musical Something To Crow About (which eventually enjoyed a succesful run in New York and California) and his second for his multiple roles in the hugely successful Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q (which went on to play a sold-out run in Singapore). Considering his first nomination was way back in 1993 (an Awit Award for Best Dance Song), Joel thinks that it might be nice to actually win one of these damn awards already. 

He and his wife Emercita Alcid-Trinidad have recently founded Upstart Productions, and Joel wrote and directed that company’s first official show: the short play Crush Hour, which premiered at the Time Square Atrs Center in New York City in October 2010. He is slated to direct at least two more Upstart shows for 2011: a contemporary version of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and an original children’s musical, Fairy Tale Rescue, written by Joel with composer Only Torres. 

Though his work as a director, writer, voice talent, lyricist, commercial model, acting coach, event host, English teacher, and actor keeps Joel busy, this brilliant, daring, and stunningly original artist always makes time to write his own bios.

The Directors

Michael Wiliams

Michael has been in the Philippine theater industry for more than 20 years. He was a part of the original cast of Miss Saigon in the West End. He also went on to play Lun Tha (the romantic lead) in the touring and West End productions of The King and I. Since coming back from London in 1992, he has established himself in the lounge and trade show circuits but continued to churn out stellar work in the theater as an actor and as director in musicals, dramas, and comedies. He was acclaimed for his portrayal of Javert in Les Miserables: the lead role Tartuffe; and AAI’s Taking Sides. He directed Repertory Philippines production of Sweeney Todd. His latest appearance on stage was in Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps produced by Repertory Philippines production of Peter Pan. He is also the founder and Artistic Director for Theater Down South, which is based in the southern metro. He conducts acting workshops year-round for several schools.

Cathy Azanza-Dy

Cathy is a familiar face to many who follow Philippine theater. Joining Repertory Philippines as a teenager where she featured in Annie, Oliver, Man of La Mancha and more than a dozen other productions. Cathy has proceeded to take on lead roles in Trumpets'’The Little Mermaid, Actor’s Actor’s Once On This Island, and Atlantis’ The Rocky Horror Show and Urinetown.

Following her turn in Repertory Philippines’ smash hit I Love You. Your’re Perfect, Now Change, Cathy went on to play Sister James in Atlantis’ critically-acclaimed stage productions of Doubt. She was also part of The Romance of Magno Rubio, produced by the New York based Ma-Yi Theater Company. Cathy was last seen as Rona Lisa Peretti in the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which played to audiences in Manila and Singapore.

Most recently, Cathy wrote the screenplay for the film “Creative License”’ which won the 24-Hour Brooklyn Filmracing Competition, and went on to receive First Place in the US National 24-Hour Filmracing Tour, besting films from cities all over the United States and Canada.

Defending the Caveman is Cathy’s first foray into directing for the stage.

For special private bookings of “Defending the Caveman” for your companies, organizations, or schools,

Please email cteshows@gmail.com

Join Defending The Caveman Philippines and “CTE Productions” on Facebook

For the Theater ethusiasts:
CTE Productions also presents the Asian premiere of the Broadway Hit
LOVE, LOSS and WHAT I WORE, an intimate collection of true stories about life and fashion. Coming this July 2011

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Sources of Facts and Citation:

» About Rob Becker, http://www.youthclassic.org/feature_articles/robbecker07.html

» Synopsis, Directors' and Joel Trinidad Profiles. Lifted from Souvenir Pamphlet

» Photo Credit: Joel Trinidad and Directors' Photos Lifted from Souvenir Pamphlet 

» Cave Paintings. from Google Images 

Disclaimer: Information such as schedule of play, venue, author and directors’ bio are correct at the date of posting. I work hard to try to ensure my articles remain up to date. Unfortunately events are always in transition and changes happen without prior notice. With the sheer number of articles on this blog it will not always be possible for me to update everything instantly unless I am made aware of an inaccuracy directly. I therefore cannot accept liability for any out of date or inaccurate information that may change or prove inaccurate after the initial creation date of the article. Thank you for visiting my blog.